Thread by @cnnphilippines

THREAD: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque holds a media briefing in Baguio City | LIVE bit.ly/2SgEbkZ

Tweets by our digital producers @pplmanuel and @kristellimpot

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque says the Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for Chinese firm Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine bit.ly/3x3bMh8

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque says a total of 9.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have arrived in the country as of June 8.

This includes 6.5 million Sinovac doses, 2.5 million AstraZeneca doses, 80,000 doses of Sputnik V and 193,000 Pfizer doses

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque says 6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have already been administered to some 4.49 million people, including 1.6 million who are now fully vaccinated

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque reiterates the President's call to vaccinated individuals to get their second COVID-19 vaccine dose bit.ly/3vWQCkx

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque notes a plateau in COVID-19 cases was observed in May, but cautions a potential spike in infections by the end of the month

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque says COVID-19 cases in Visayas and Mindanao remain to be on the rise, while NCR Plus and the rest of Luzon have seen a "slight" downward trend

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque presents developments in the average daily attack rate and 2-week growth rate of the entire country and National Capital Region

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque shows national healthcare utilization rates as of June 5

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque says the Office of the Executive Secretary has issued a memorandum extending the diversion of int'l flights headed to Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport until 11:59pm of June 12

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination: Dito sa aming almost three months na monitoring, wala kaming nakitang masamang epekto sa bakuna

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Dr. Bravo: Of course may adverse events, almost 3% ang reported. In fact, underreported nga 'yan because kung titignan mo sa clinical trials, adverse effects go up as high as 30-40%

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Dr. Bravo on reported serious side effects after vaccination: Ang nakakapag-ospital po ay yung kanilang underlying condition...Hindi kayo dapat matakot sa bakuna. Kung gusto niyong mas tumaas ang inyong kumpyansa, magpa-check up na rin po kayo bago magpabakuna

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Dr. Bravo: Ang Sinovac, ang pinkamataas niyang adverse event ay 'yung pagtaas ng blood pressure. 'Yun ay magagamot kung kayo ay mabibigyan ng inyong maintenance o hypertensive drugs

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot For the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, Dr. Bravo says the usual reported side effects are fever, chills and feeling of tiredness

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Will Palace fund the backpay and differential pay of previously demoted nurses in public hospitals?

Roque: We are seeking guidance from the Executive Secretary kasi 'yung kanyang memorandum na inissue ay effective June 1. Aalamin po namin ano magiging desisyon sa backpay (1/3)

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque: Hahanapan po ng DBM item sa DOH budget kung saan kukunin 'yung halaga para doon sa increase. Kampante naman po si Sec. Wendel (Avisado) na makakahanap po tayo ng pondo. Pero doon po sa back wages, mukhang wala pong sapat na funding for that for now (2/3)

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque: Pero kung ang guidance ng ES ay magbibigay ng backpay, pwede naman 'yan sa 2022 budget (3/3)

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque on inoculating the poor against COVID-19: Report naman po ni [vaccine czar] Galvez kagabi, bubuhos na ang supply [ng bakuna] mga July, August. We expect na pagbuhos ng supply, mapapasama na ang A5

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque on Rep. Alan Cayetano asking Duterte not to run for VP to protect his legacy: I'm sure the President will listen to all these well-meaning remarks, lalo na kung galing sa kaniyang dating running mate at House Speaker Cayetano

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque says the President welcomes all suggestions on a possible VP candidacy since he doesn't have a decision on it yet

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque on EUA of Sinopharm vaccine: Ang pagkakaintindi ko po it was granted for the 1,000 donated. So kung mag-aangkat pa po ng mas marami, I think a separate EUA would have to be given to the entity na mag-iimport niyan bit.ly/3x3bMh8

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque: Dahil sa new variants, napilitan tayo mag-ECQ, MECQ at GCQ with restrictions sa NCR+ where 63% of our GDP comes from. 'Di nakakapagtaka ba't tumaas ang unemployment rate

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque emphasizes importance of earlier efforts to tighten quarantine restrictions in NCR+ to quell the surge in COVID-19 cases in the area

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque cites govt's 3-pronged strategy to control the spread of COVID-19, usage of fiscal and monetary policies to provide aid, ramping up vaccine drive to usher in economic recovery

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque on planned issuance of COVID-19 vaccine passport: Talagang makakatulong 'yan hindi lang sa domestic kundi pati sa international travel. Ang pagbubuo nitong passport ay ginagawa ng DICT in close coordination with DOH

@pplmanuel @kristellimpot Roque on planned issuance of COVID-19 vaccine passport: Tignan natin ang final output, because it can only lead to desirable events